Just a few weeks ago, I received a fascinating new smartphone: the OnePlus Nord 5. Positioned as a budget-friendly offering, it cleverly avoids the mid-tier range yet doesn’t cross into flagship territory. With a price tag of around $400 (approximately €370), it significantly redefines what we expect from budget flagships.
The Galaxy Fan Edition series from Samsung has long set the standard in the U.S. market, but after putting the OnePlus Nord 5 to the test, it’s clear that this is how a true Fan Edition should perform—delivering value without an inflated price point. Take note, Samsung: the Nord 5 offers a strong blueprint for the upcoming Galaxy S25 FE.
Striking Design That Commands Attention
Samsung has faced a design dilemma for years, recycling the same look for its devices regardless of price. Unfortunately, their current Galaxy S24 FE is no different. In our review, it felt cheap and hollow. The OnePlus Nord 5 resolves this issue with a fresh design, featuring a luxurious all-glass rear and polycarbonate sides that mimic metal, making it feel more premium than the more expensive Galaxy S24 FE.
Interestingly, the Nord 5 is significantly cheaper yet feels more refined. However, it does weigh 211 grams, making it heavier than I’d prefer. Still, the gorgeous 1.5K OLED display paired with a 144Hz refresh rate is remarkable, handling HDR content smoothly even with water droplets present.
Unmatched Performance in the Price Range
One of my ongoing concerns with premium smartphones is the cost-cutting that occurs in crucial areas like display, processor, and battery life. While the OnePlus Nord 5 isn’t entirely immune to this, it surprisingly excels in key areas.
Equipped with a stunning 6,800 mAh battery, it boasts the largest for any mainstream brand in the U.S., especially when compared to Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra at 5,000 mAh. With moderate usage, I managed to go two full days sans charging. Even on days filled with gaming, streaming music, and extensive navigation, there was still 30 to 40% battery remaining at day’s end.
Its fast-charging capabilities are equally impressive, taking just one hour to reach a complete charge. You can easily get through half a day with a mere 10 to 15 minutes of charging. For further context, compare this to Samsung’s slower charging speeds, and consider that the Nord 5’s 80W charging brick comes included.
Additionally, the Nord 5 includes an innovative passthrough charging feature, allowing you to power the device while avoiding battery strain during gaming sessions, thereby enhancing longevity.
This model also features an efficient vapor chamber cooling system, effectively handling intense gaming scenarios without excessive heating.
Hardware and Software Integration
OnePlus has made an impressive choice with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, providing exceptional day-to-day performance for a device in this price range. Benchmark tests put its performance on par with the more expensive MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Extreme Edition.
Performance-wise, it performs nearly 30% better than the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. Remarkably, after a 20-minute stress test, it maintained a stability score of 83.9%. The competitors simply can’t match that.
When it comes to cameras, the 50-megapixel main sensor excels at producing sharp images, offering impressive surface detail and accurate color representation. The selfies are equally impressive thanks to pixel-binning technology.
What’s Missing?
Although there are a few minor drawbacks, like the absence of a telephoto camera, the Nord 5 still holds its ground against its higher-priced competitors, including the Galaxy S24 FE.
What features should I consider when purchasing a budget smartphone? When selecting a budget phone, focus on the display quality, battery life, and software support to ensure longevity. The OnePlus Nord 5 excels in all these areas.
How does the OnePlus Nord 5 compare to other budget flagships? With its impressive features, the Nord 5 sets a new standard in the budget flagship arena, outperforming many competitors in terms of performance and design.
What is the battery life like on the OnePlus Nord 5? The Nord 5 boasts a 6,800 mAh battery, allowing two days of moderate usage and quick charging capabilities.
Final Thoughts: The Value Proposition
At approximately $400 (€370), the OnePlus Nord 5 offers unbeatable value in a market often plagued by compromises. It adeptly navigates common pitfalls of budget phones and brings features typically reserved for higher-end devices.
This vibrant device not only performs well but also looks great, making it hard to believe it’s priced so competitively. All things considered, the OnePlus Nord 5 represents what a Fan Edition phone should look like—one that Samsung could learn from for future models.
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